First Air Layer Experiment

dpqmonkey

I am SO excited! Spurred on by the topics I have been reading here, I have just started my first attempt at taking an air layer from one of my Japanese Maples!


What better way to celebrate Easter?

Attached Images

	Air Layer 1.jpg (38.5 KB, 109 views)
	Air Layer 2.jpg (31.0 KB, 105 views)
	Air Layer 3.jpg (29.8 KB, 101 views)
	Air Layer 4.jpg (28.8 KB, 85 views)

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David

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stephenr

You might want to wrap black plastic around the layering site to shield the forthcoming roots from light. Fix the black plastic in such away that it can be removed for inspection of the layer site, root development and moisture levels of the moss.
I have yet to attempt air layering and I am intrigue if 'food wrap' will work given its ability to lock out air and moisture. Maybe others here can add comments.
Good luck with it...

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3069James

from the expeirance of others you don,t have to wrap it in black plastic another way you can do it is slice a cheap tupperware container or a pot and use that instead i am using the pot method right now on a ficus and it's about ready to be cut off

Ralph

you can also just wrap some aluminum foil around that plastic. Was the layer taken at one of the internodes (where there are branches growing)? I learned from experience that maple layers are more sucessful if taken right at the internode, which is where it will root. If not, don't worry to much, just wait it out until this autumn. If you have no roots by then, plan to do another next spring.

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node

The only tip I can give you, is to chop your sphagnum moss quite finely. At least the type I get here is pretty stringy, and if you don't chop it up into small pieces, it is a quite a hassle when it becomes time to remove it, as it will be wrapped around your new roots.

I did a ficus as well as a beech with clear plastic wrapping, didn't have any problem rooting. The beech took a very long time, but it all worked out in the end.

Lots of Luck and Happy Easter

Stefan

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pootsie

It's good to poke a few holes for air & water circulation. Make sure it stays constantly moist but not soaking. And no peeking!

pootsie

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dpqmonkey

Fantastic!

After examining my air layer I saw some definite root development!

So I grabbed some of my wife's pointy little scissors and carefully cut the tape and food wrap open. The moss was still somewhat moist, because I never poked holes through the plastic or opened it up. Then I cut the branch off the tree and ran some water over the moss and roots. Using a bamboo skewer I carefully loosened and removed the moss.

I cut back most of the foliage and planted the cutting in a 1/2 gallon pot, staking it with a pair of chopsticks.

I use a gritty soil mix composed of sifted black cinders, forest compost, fish meal, fish bone meal, and coffee grounds.

Attached Images

	Air Layer Showing Roots.jpg (29.9 KB, 45 views)
	Air Layer With Moss Removed.jpg (26.7 KB, 77 views)
	Air Layer Potted Up.jpg (23.3 KB, 46 views)

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David

Certifiably Bonsai Crazy!

pootsie

Success!
Keep it in the shade for a while!

pootsie

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p.s. My cat is a bonsaiTALK Master.
Columbus Bonsai Society

steez

Wow ...2 months. Nice. I thought it would take longer

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